Biology (Physical Sophontology)

Vegans have a number of adaptations to the arid dry region of Muan Gwi where they developed.

Vegans are upright, bipedal, and bilaterally symmetrical, averaging 2.2 meters in height. They are bisexual, homeothermic oxygen breathers with an average lifespan of over 200 years.

Vegans have the tall, thin bodies characteristic of most low-gravity species. Because of their low-gravity origin, they are physically quite weak, and are unable to live on high gravity worlds.

The gravity of Muan Gwi is rated at 0.5 g or half that of Terra, the Human homeworld.

A Vegan's tall, thin bodies is designed for the maximum radiation of heat. The torso is covered with a thick integument, whose convoluted surface is richly supplied with blood vessels. By increasing or decreasing the supply of blood to the integument, heat radiation from the torso can be regulated to optimum effect (more during the day, less at night). This arrangement obviates the necessity for sweating and its consequent water loss.

All orifices of the body can be sealed to prevent unnecessary moisture loss.

The head serves both as brain case and as sensory appendage. Auditory organs are located in the collar-like structure around the neck. Despite external appearances to the contrary, Vegans have two eyes, located inside the hood-like fleshy structure which dominates the head.

The paired eyes are covered by a transparent eye-lid-like structure, which acts as a polarized light filter. This structure protects the eyes from glare, like built-in sunglasses, and also serves to keep windblown dust out of the eyes. This filter can be retracted when not needed.

The eyes themselves are large, and pick up radiation well into the infrared portion of the spectrum, an adaptation to Muan Gwi's small red sun.

Since the skull is fixed solidly in place, a Vegan cannot turn its head, but the fleshy hood containing the eyes can turn through a large arc.

Vegans are walkers and their legs end in broad, splayed feet, which prevent them from sinking into the soft sand.

Where the forearm and hand would be on a human, Vegans have three tentacles, which serve them as manipulative organs.

The mouth is a vertical slit in the upper thoracic region, with paired breathing/vocal slits on either side of it.

Two mandibles are located inside the upper chest, and grind food between their opposing sets of teeth.

Evolution & Environment (Epigenetics)

This species originated on [homeworld] and developed intelligence.

Sophonce (Evolution)

This species developed intelligence in response to [factors].

Climate & Ecotope (Environment)

This species holds the following environmental preferences:

Terrestrial planet

Cold climate

Barren and dessert ecotopes

Low gravity

Thin atmosphere

Genetic Code (Genotype)

No information yet available.

Anatomy & Physiology (Phenotype)

Sophontologists studying this species have discovered the following data.

Body Plan (Morphology)

Annelidoid

Humanoid

Biltateral symmetry (s-ial)

Tetrapod (4-ped)

2 limbs used for manipulation "arms"

2 limbs used for locomotion "legs"

Body consists of three segments

Head

Torso

Abdomen

Biochemistry (Function)

This species has a conventional carbon-water based biochemistry.

Respiration (Reaction)

This species used a conventional respiration cycle consisting of:

Oxygen-nitrogen inhalant

Carbon dioxide exhalant

Ecosystem & Population (Ecology)

No information yet available.

Diet & Trophics (Consumption)

This species survives using the following methods of consumption:

Herbivore /grazer

This species favors vegetable and plant-based foodstuffs.

Gender & Sexuality (Reproduction)

This species has the following reproductive characteristics:

Two genders (male & female)

No outward sexual dimorphism

(sexual reproduction)

Conjugal intercourse

Varied mating systems (primarily serial monogamy) (1m:1f average)

Viviparous birth

(Iteroparous): Uses K-selection and have few offspring that require considerable amounts of time to raise to maturity.

Vegans are not sexually dimorphic and there are no external differences between sexes.

The urogenital opening is a vertical slit located ventrally in the lower abdomen.

Adolescence & Lifecycle (Ontogeny)

No information yet available.

Psychology (Cultural Sophontology)

No information yet available.

Goals (Motivation)

No information yet available.

Expectations

No information yet available.

Traditions

No information yet available.

Belief System & Philosophy (Mindset)

No information yet available.

Philosophy

No information yet available.

Attitudes?

Belief System

No information yet available.

Religion?

Interventionary Stance

No information yet available.

[tribalism vs. galactism]

Culture & Society (Ethnology)

Vegan society is divided into hundreds of different tuhuir, which might be roughly translated as culture, philosophy, or tao. Each tuhuir has its own customs and traditions and its own interpretation of the proper way to live. The civil service which governs the Vegan District is a tuhuir which oversees and mediates among all the other tuhuir. Although rare, heretical and rebellious tuhuir do exist.

Archeology shows that the tuhuir were once separate societies, each associated with a particular geographic location, like countries on ancient Earth. Now, however, they are mixed together in complex patterns. Tuhuir are not hereditary; when a Vegan nears sexual maturity, he or she enters a period of search, which may last for many years. Eventually, the individual chooses a tuhuir; once made, the choice is for life. In practice, about 50% of all Vegans enter the tuhuir of their parents (the exact percentage varies with each tuhuir); about 0.5% find that they enjoy the search as a way of life and never join a tuhuir.

Social Organization: 1116

Vegan society is divided into hundreds of different tuhuir, which might be roughly translated as culture, philosophy, or tao. Each tuhuir has its own customs and traditions and its own interpretation of the proper way to live. Although rare, heretical and rebellious tuhuir do exist.

Cultural Hierarchies: 1116

This species ranks its members in the following manners:

No information yet available.

Language (Linguistic Sophontology)

This species is known to communicate with other species using the following methods.

Language & Letters (Communication)

This species uses the following types of language to communicate:

No information yet available.

Aesthetics (Symbology)

This species holds the following values regarding art, architecture, ornamentation, etc.

No information yet available.

Morality (Ethics)

This species holds the following values regarding a sense of right and wrong:

No information yet available.

History (Archaeological Sophontology)

The Vegans received the Jump Drive about -6000, from Vilani-influenced traders, and colonized several nearby worlds before being absorbed by the First Imperium in -4404. They were severely restricted under Vilani rule, as were all races who resisted being integrated into the rigid Vilani culture. Because of this, they welcomed Terran victory in the Interstellar Wars and the advent of the Rule of Man.

The Vegan Polity prospered under the Rule of Man and survived the Long Night largely intact. However, with the advent of the Third Imperium, the Vegan area was broken into individual planetary states in accord with Imperial policy; non-humans were treated as full citizens but, in order to cement Imperial authority, no multi-world governmental units were allowed.

Under the Solomani, the Vegans were again restricted. Human colonies were founded on many Vegan worlds to maintain Solomani influence there, and Solomani governors were installed on all Vegan worlds.